July 18, 2007
Ahead of the Curve
 While surfing links from some parenting site or design blog, an amazing piece of kiddie furniture catches your eye. It's smart, unobtrusive, straightforward, multipurpose, and it won't be an eyesore amidst your mid-century modern furnishings. In fact, it's just the piece you've been looking for.
Inevitably, you realize it's also Scandinavian and not available for purchase in the States. Sigh.
That's exactly why this ingenious design from Denmark is so exciting – pre-order it now you'll be first in line come mid-September. The Elna tumbling elephant by Bobles is more than a very cool, architect-designed chair. It's also a way to help young children develop their motor skills and coordination (though they're fun for older kids, too). Standing on his legs, the elephant's back becomes a rainbow-shaped stool that tots can sit on, climb over, slide down, or straddle. Flipped onto his back, the elephant becomes a couch or cradle that rocks to and fro. On his side, he's a curved backrest that's perfect for supporting those who are new to sitting up. Stand him on his bum, and suddenly he's a sort of space-age rocking chair.
Dreamed up while one of the designers was at the zoo with her children, the chair comes in three colors and is made from soft and nontoxic EVA foam. Elna is even a cinch to clean... just wipe him down with a damp cloth.
Typical. For Scandinavian designs, anyway.
Available online at minimodern.com.
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